Thanks you guys! I got the idea from posters on the GardenWeb...there are some people who do lots and lots of 'em. I hope they find their way here eventually. All the pieces I used were chipped or mended already. This was my first totem, it leans a little, but I like it anyway :-) For glue, I used GE Silicone II for Doors and Windows (clear). I don't know how long it will hold up, but if/when the weather smashes it, I'll just have mosaic pieces. Ha.

downscale_babe (love your name!), if you have access to lovely antique dishes that nobody wants because of chipping, you are gonna be in totem-heaven. There is a woman on GW who makes these with lovely translucent antique glass that's chipped, and she sells hers at an antique space. People snap them up like crazy! It's garden junk for the collectors...they might not want chipped depression glass in their cabinets, but they would love them as teacup birdfeeders or garden totems. You can always cover up chips with a well-placed prism or ceramic rose or such. I can't wait to see what you do!

For those who don't have access to antique dishes...chipped dishes are usually very cheap at yard sales. Also, if you put the word out to your friends, they will start bringing you their dishes when they end up chipped. Just set aside a big box in your garage, and periodically take the pieces out and play with them. When you are ready, whip out the GE II or some marine glue and make something fun!

drlith, I am going to glue it to a microwave turntable plate (I find those a lot at thrift stores) when it comes time to put it in the garden. Then I just plan on burying that piece. I honestly don't know how well it's going to hold up to weather. But they were all damaged pieces anyway, so if they break, then I get to use them for mosaic :-) I am new to this, and I hope to have more answers by the time it's been through a gardening season.

I LOVE the idea of handles for climbing vines. And Erynne you are right, these could be made out of just about anything. I cannot wait to see what you guys come up with. You made me realize that it might be possible to stack assorted old candle lantern thingies and have a functional totem that would glow with tea lights at night. Thank you for the idea!

The only thing I love more than doing artsy junk is seeing everybody else's artsy junk that they do! And for those looking for dishes, if you or your spouse or SO work outside the home, ask coworkers for pretty chipped dishes, junk jewelry, and such. Lots of people have stuff like this hanging around...too good to throw away but not really their thing. If they know you will make something purdy with it, I bet they'd love to send it your way.

I had so much fun at Goodwill! And I found an even bigger and better thrift store called Value Thrift. This last place had so many dishes I was exhausted before I left. I never did see everything they had. But I'll go there again for sure.
My first one is a plant stand. It's about rearend high. The heavy plate at the bottom makes a nice steady base. The top is the matching soup bowl. I'm hoping I'll be able to set a pretty pot of Ivy on the top and give it to my Mom and she will oooo and ahhhhh over it. (and she'll eventually kill the poor plant) lol!. This is so much prettier in person than it looks in the picture.